Sydneysiders are on track for travel chaos as the citys rail network grinds to a halt for three days after negotiations between the NSW government and the transport union broke down.
Millions of travellers will be left stranded this weekend after the state government balked at the Rail Tram and Bus Unions (RTBU) demand for a 32 per cent pay increase.
Trains will stop running 10pm Thursday and will remain out of action until 6am Sunday, unless an 11th hour compromise is reached.
Further industrial action could effect midweek services next week.
Commuters, including those with tickets for major rock concerts and football matches this weekend, vented their anger on Tuesday night, with the vast majority blaming the union.
Many unleashed into a furious tirade express their frustration at the upcoming havoc, with one writing on X: F*** all these RTBU transport union workers... constantly striking for extra money.
You push stop/start in a f****** train or drive a bus, you dont have PhDs - automate everything like the Sydney Metro, f*** them.
News of the shutdown came after the RTBU rejected an offer from the NSW government to make one line from Strathfield to Hornsby run 24-7.
Sydney is facing three days of havoc as the citys rail network grinds to a halt from Thursday to Saturday after negotiations between the NSW government and the transport union fell apart
The union had demanded 24-hour train lines as a tactic in its ongoing wages and conditions dispute with the state.
The government initially agreed, but this week told the RTBU only a 24-hour service between Hornsby and Strathfield would be possible.
NSW transport minister Jo Haylen said the union rejected this compromise at a meeting on Tuesday and would launch a strike, which will throw Sydneys public transport system into chaos.
We have respectfully asked the unions to withdraw these bans, Ms Haylen said. Unfortunately, they are yet to do so.
These bans make it harder and harder for us to operate our train network, and it does mean that passengers should expect disruption later this week.
That could involve a complete stoppage of operations across the rail network.
But RTBU secretary Toby Warnes accused the minister and Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland of being disingenuous with their comments.
The CEO of Sydney Trains wrote to the RTBU NSW (on Tuesday) morning saying they would run one partial line for 24 hours this weekend, citing vague "maintenance" concerns as a reason for robbing Sydneysiders of the benefit of 24 hour running, he said.
We immediately wrote back – by 9.40am – to inform them that theyd misunderstood our actions, and if there are maintenance requirements they should let us know and well consider how to work around them.
Mr Warnes said the government is to blame for whatever happens to Sydney Trains in the coming days.
If the NSW government chooses to shut down the rail system at any stage this week, it will be entirely their decision.
Ms Haylen said that the shutdown will cause major disruption for millions of train passengers.
This will cause significant disruption to peoples lives and to the operation of our city.
Commuters have been urged to avoid peak travel times this Friday and on the weekend.
Transport for NSW is preparing to use replacement services, including buses for major events over the weekend and school services.
The RTBU has been engaged in a six-month stand-off with the NSW government in a bid to get higher pay and better conditions.
Furious commuters, and those with tickets for major rock concerts and football matches, vented their anger on Tuesday night, with the vast majority blaming the union
The union is demanding a 32 per cent pay rise over four years, which is an 8 per cent pay rise per year, and a 35-hour working week.
But the state government has offered rail workers a vastly lower rise of 9.5 per cent pay over three years.
Mr Longland said the strike would cause chaos across the network used by more than one million commuters each day.
At this point we have to prepare for no train services, he said.
Im asking people to think about travelling well outside the peak, to make alternative arrangements, to plan well ahead.
He said Sydney Trains had asked Sydney Metro to put on extra services on Thursday and Friday before the Metro closes this weekend for maintenance.
That will be an additional factor as we look towards the weekend that we will not have Metro services to augment a stoppage at Sydney Trains, he said.
Among those affected will be an estimated 70,000 fans of American rock band Pearl Jam heading to Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday and Saturday nights.
Soccer fans heading to A-Leagues United Round at Allianz Stadium this weekend will also be impacted, including the local derby between crosstown rivals Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
As the fixture is on at Moore Park, the lack of trains will have a major impact on fans trying to get from western Sydney to the game.
Among those affected will be the 70,000 fans of American rock band Pearl Jam (pictured) heading to Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday and Saturday nights
Many people used foul language to express their frustration at the coming train chaos
Mr Longland urged concertgoers and sports fans to make alternative travel plans.
We will have no major event buses at this stage, we will reply on car parks, carpooling and ride share services, he said.
NSW Secretary of Transport Josh Murray warned that alternative services would not be able to carry the same number of train passengers.
A million people a day are carried by the Sydney Trains network and its simply not possible to accommodate them on alternative services no matter which mode, he said.
He said passengers should plan ahead for the disruption and consider travelling outside peak hours to get to work or appointments.
Im asking people now to think about travelling well outside the peak to make alternate arrangements, to plan well ahead with any urgent appointments across the Thursday to Sunday period and please be kind and patient to each other … and to our transport staff.
Ms Haylen has urged the RTBU to come back to the negotiating table.
My door is always open, and I would welcome the union withdrawing these bans at any time, she said.
NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman said commuters are being let down by a weak Premier Chris Minns.
The Minns Labor Governments failure to control their union mates will leave commuters stranded and the city in chaos, yet again, he said.